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On 3 October, British Ambassador to Ethiopia Susanna Moorehead presented the Muday Charity Association with almost 200,000 Birr (拢6500) 鈥� the result of a fundraising drive centred on one of Scotland鈥檚 best-loved writers.

Burns Night, on January 25th, remembers the life and works of famous poet Robert Burns and is celebrated by British communities all around the world. This year鈥檚 Addis Ababa event, organised by staff from the UK Embassy and others from the British community, was attended by 320 people. The evening included poetry readings and traditional Scottish Ceilidh dancing as well as a glass or two of Scotland鈥檚 world-class whisky.

The evening raised 199,426 Birr for charity, and after a careful selection process the organising committee decided to give the funds to the Muday Association, which supports street children, children with disabilities and their mothers. The charity provides 600 children with meals, clothes and education. The Association has also set up a Mothers鈥� Cooperation, enabling 400 women to make and sell handicrafts. Ambassador Moorehead presented the funds to the association鈥檚 founder Muday Mitiku.

Speaking after the presentation, the Ambassador said:

The Muday Charity is doing vital and extraordinary work in Addis Ababa 鈥� giving destitute children a chance to have a happier childhood and a better future. British people have a long tradition of charitable giving, and our community here in Addis Ababa is no exception. It gives me great pleasure to hand over these funds, which I know will make a real difference to the lives of the women and children supported by Muday.

Further information

• Burns Night marks the anniversary of Scotland鈥檚 national poet, Robert Burns鈥�, birth on 25 January.

• Held throughout the world on Burns Night (or on an evening close to it) a traditional Burns supper is held on Burns night and celebrates Robert Burns鈥� life and work.

• Ceilidh dance is a traditional Scottish/Irish social gathering where people can gather to dance and hear the Ceilidh band play. 鈥楥eilidh鈥� is a Gaelic word. Its meaning is literally 鈥榓 visit鈥� but is more commonly used to mean a dance, a concert or just a party.